Extreme heat and health alerts
Both the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have extended the red alerts for Surrey and the south east until 11pm on Friday 26 June.
Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
HMOs that need a licence, how to apply for or renew a licence, licence costs, basic standards for HMOs, report an unlicensed HMO.
HMO licensing costs
Licensing costs are split into 2 parts:
- part 1 cost – covers the cost of processing your application, including administration and the initial property inspection
- part 2 cost – funds the scheme, including compliance checks and enforcement
How we will charge you
You’ll pay:
- the part 1 cost when you apply for or renew a licence
- the part 2 cost when we approve your application
You can choose to pay both costs at the same time, but we will not issue your licence until both costs are paid.
Discounts may be given to accredited landlords, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations if they meet certain conditions.
New licence costs
The part 1 cost is £700, plus an additional £10 for each room which is let as a bedroom.
The part 2 cost is £130.
| Example renting scenario | Licence type | Part 1 cost | Part 2 cost | Total licence cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live-in landlord with 2 bedrooms rented to 3 people (couple and one other person) | Additional HMO licence | £720 | £130 | £850 |
| 2 bedroom property rented to 3 people | Additional HMO licence | £720 | £130 | £850 |
| 4 bedroom property rented to 4 people | Additional HMO licence | £740 | £130 | £870 |
| Live-in landlord with 4 bedrooms rented to 4 people | Mandatory HMO licence | £740 | £130 | £870 |
| 5 bedroom HMO property | Mandatory HMO licence | £750 | £130 | £880 |
| 6 bedroom HMO property | Mandatory HMO licence | £760 | £130 | £890 |
| 9 bedroom HMO property | Mandatory HMO licence | £790 | £130 | £920 |
Licence renewal costs
The part 1 cost is £500, plus an additional £10 for each room which is let as a bedroom.
The part 2 cost is £130.
| Example renting scenario | Licence type | Part 1 cost | Part 2 cost | Total licence cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live-in landlord with 2 bedrooms rented to 3 people (couple and one other person) | Additional HMO licence | £520 | £130 | £650 |
| 2 bedroom property rented to 3 people | Additional HMO licence | £520 | £130 | £650 |
| 4 bedroom property rented to 4 people | Additional HMO licence | £540 | £130 | £670 |
| Live-in landlord with 4 bedrooms rented to 4 people | Mandatory HMO licence | £540 | £130 | £670 |
| 5 bedroom HMO property | Mandatory HMO licence | £550 | £130 | £680 |
| 6 bedroom HMO property | Mandatory HMO licence | £560 | £130 | £690 |
| 9 bedroom HMO property | Mandatory HMO licence | £590 | £130 | £720 |
Other licensing fees (if applicable)
| Other licensing action | Cost per action |
|---|---|
| Advisory inspection requested by the landlord | £179 |
| No access for arranged visit | £102 |
| Change of licence holder | a new application is required |
Explanation of other licensing costs
No access for arranged visit
This will be charged if we have given at least 24 hours' notice and you have not provided us with access to the property and/or attended the visit.
What we will not charge you for
We will not charge you for:
- change of details of any existing licence holder, manager, owner, mortgagor, freeholder or leaseholder (such as change of address)
- change of mortgagor, owner, freeholder and leaseholder (unless they are also the licence holder or manager)
- variation of your licence or your licence is revoked
- change of manager (unless they are also the licence holder)
- Temporary Exemption Notices (TENs)
Licences are not transferable. If the licence holder changes, a new application and costs are required.
Licence discounts
We offer discounts to certain types of landlords.
Accredited landlords
You will get a £100 discount if you’re an accredited landlord and meet all the following criteria:
- you are the proposed licence holder
- you own the licensable property
- you have completed training to become an accredited landlord
Proof of up-to-date accreditation and training course attendance must be provided to qualify for this discount.
The discount will be applied to your part 1 payment.
Companies and managing agents (even if accredited) will not qualify for the £100 discount.
Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations
You will get a £200 discount if you’re a registered charity or not-for-profit organisation.
Proof of your organisation’s status will be required.
The discount will be applied to your part 1 payment.
Reduced licence terms
Licences usually last 3 years, but we may issue a one-year licence if:
- you apply or renew late
- there are concerns about the property’s condition or management
The licence cost will stay the same regardless of the licence length.
Refunds
The amount we may refund you depends on the status of your application.
Your property is not licensable
You will be given a full refund if you apply and pay for a licence and your property:
- does not need to be licensed
- is not located within the Woking borough licensing area
Your application is withdrawn or refused
All licence applications which do not progress past the first stage will not receive a refund for the part 1 cost.
If you have chosen to pay the part 1 and part 2 costs in one go, we will refund the part 2 cost, if:
- you withdraw your application
- we refuse your application
Your application is invalid
If you submit an incomplete application, we will contact you for the missing information.
If you fail to provide the requested information by a stated date, your application will be rejected as not ‘duly made’ and we will refund the full amount paid.
Contact our Housing Standards team
You can contact us online for advice on HMO licence costs.